Agencies

[indieanna86]

This is more of a rant than a question but I really need to get it off my chest! Why does it seem that 99% of recruitment agencies are a bit rubbish??
I have an interview tomorrow morning. My agency arranged it for me last Friday and said they'd send me the details by email. I've phoned everyday reminding them that I need these details and if they could just tell me over the phone, but no, they say they'll do it soon. I called just now and they said if I haven't got the email by tomorrow let them know. Too right I will!!!
So I have an interview in the morning, but I have no idea what the company is called, what they do, where they are or who'll be seeing me. Great.

Has anyone else had any bad experiences? Just so I know I'm not alone! :)

[VillageVicar]

That sounds pathetic. Phone back and speak with the manager. And should you eventually get the job, have a quiet word with the HR Manager and let her/him know how surprised you were by the recrutiment company's lack of professionalism.

Some agencies simply 'flood' companies with cv's, whether they are suitable or now. Their belief is that it shows their client that they are working hard to find potential staff. Personally, I find that to be hog wash. A good professional agency does quality creative listening and thoughtfully shares with the candidate all of the details that might help them get the job. It sounds as if you've fallen prey to one of the cowboy groups, or at the least, some down right unprofessionals!

Personally, I wouldn't put up with it!

Best of luck

Fr Bill

[milliezoe]

Have been job hunting for ten months every agency i have registered with has been crap i start work next Monday i found the job myself will never use agencies again

[howlie]

A few years ago I joined several agencies looking for long term temp work. Out of four only one was any good and got me some good jobs. One of the others sent me for an interview knowing all of my skills and weaknesses and I was totally unsuitable. I was so embarrassed!! Mind you I know they stopped using that Agency soon afterwards.

[weeal]

i think theyre 100% rubbish, they never bother, I dont know how they survive really

[rabbitygirl]

Same with me. Lots of rictus smiles, encouragement about what you can do, can get you a job tomorrow etc, etc. The construction industry has its own agencies. They used to, and may still, advertise as desperately looking for tradesmen. My husband registered, they then said they had no work at present and would call him. Not once did my husband receive even I days work.

[Reverandfunk]

Ive used agencies from basic manual work to executive ones and imo they are all pants.

Ok in the short term but forget them for anything decent, staffed by 12 year olds in ill fitting suits

[slave-plater]

you could be difficult with them , and register with a different agency.... and if they first agency then , actually get you an interview , with a copmany , you coulld say , you are not going to turn up .........

[EverClean]

I used a specialist recruitment agency and they were superb. Actually LISTENED to what i told them and only contacted me regarding jobs I was interested in. Got me a handful of selected interviews with employers I wanted to work for and i got a job through them. Used them again 4 years later when I wanted a change and again they were highly professional.

I think agencies that place people in bulk in manual or low-skilled jobs are just interested in herding the correct numbers into the correct positions.

Try to find a specialist in your field and you may be suprised.

[JonnyBoy12]

I too share your hatred of Recruitment agencies. I registered with one, and got work twice in 3 years. If I had had to rely on them solely I would have starved to death. At the risk of sounding cynical the old saying "If you want a job done properly do it yourself" springs to mind, and that is not a dig at you, Indie. How the hell (Sorry for the language VV) can a total stranger know the real "you" just by looking at your C.V. They will know your basic information and your qualifications, but what are these at the end of the day.

The best way I find to get the job I want (except that of Prime Minister though) is to contact the company you want to work for directly by post. Enclose your C.V. typed up, of course, and a covering letter telling them you are the best potential employee in the universe and then get them to contact you. I have usually got the job I want, but thinking I don't really give a f*** (sorry again VV) if I get the job or not and that always works for me. If you are desperate you'll look desperate, and for some reason employers don't like that.

Finally ask some friends how they got their jobs, and even if they have any jobs going. Not counting us ABers, of course, we are not strangers only people you have not met yet.